Clay for Facials and Baths
Clay is essentially volcanic ash.
There are about 7 types of clay, but only the smectite types absorb internally significantly.
There are three major categories of smectitie clay: Calcium Bentonite, Sodium Bentonite, and Magnesium Bentonite.
Sodium is not as healthful if ingested, and Calcium Bentonite seems to absorb and adsorb the best with no negative effects.
Calcium Bentonite is the superior clay in all ways, and is the subject of our article.
There are many Calcium Bentonites available on the market today, which vary according to purity.
Starting in 1964, NASA tested a red calcium bentonite clay called terramin and found it to prevent calcium loss in weightless conditions (severely accelerated osteoporosis), because red clay is loaded with minerals and clay has properties that heal.
According to Shirleys-Wellness-Cafe.com , "Clay which has been hydro-thermally altered and seasoned in the arid desert is rich in content."
I believe that to claim that clays exposed to weather can accumulate minerals, but unfortunately that also means it could have accumulated impurities as well. Red clay is more"seasoned" by weather, so it is not as pure, but could harbor impurities.
Absorption and Adsorption: Pure Calcium Bentonite clay, especially green Living Clay, absorbs water and impurities internally, and adsorbs impurities externally. Red clay absorbs and adsorbs less than green "living clay". If you take a red clay and a green clay and mix them with water, the green clay will swell up tremendously, but the red clay won't swell up much at all.
Red clay also doesn't absorb or adsorb toxins as well as the purer green clays.
Our favorite green clay is found at Clay Healing .com.
It's the purest "Living Clay" available, because it was protected from the weather by a coat of Zeolite for 43 million years. It's less gritty, because it's ground more finely (325 mesh instead of 50-200 for most others), has almost no taste or smell, is more alkaline than most, and absorbs/adsorbs better than any other we've found.
Green Clay Use for Facials, Spas, Baths and Detox
The best clay for facials, baths, spas or detoxification, either externally or internally, is the purest green clay available, because it absorbs and adsorbs better than any other, as you can see by its swelling capacity.
Bentonite Clay is used in several of the world's finest spas and
resorts for facials and full body wraps. Its unique strong drawing power makes it the
one of the most popular facial and body wrap clays. With one use you will
notice it tightens, softens, exfoliates and firms the skin. You just have to use it to
appreciate the difference it has over other muds and clays.
In his book
The Healing Clay, Michel Abehsera writes: "Perhaps the
easiest way to use clay is as a skin beautifier. When
applied to the skin as a mask, oxidation and circulation are
accelerated, defensive functions stimulated and body
temperatures lightly raised. Thus clay acts rather like a
light massage. In addition, clay, is a balancer and
revitalizer."
And Ran
Knishinsky writes in his book The Clay Cure: "The
clay facial mask deep-cleans pores, exfoliates dead cells, and
leaves the skin feeling soft and clean. It stimulates skin
circulation and has an stringent action on sagging tissues.
The facial muscles become toned from the application of the clay
mask."
How to Apply
Facials and Body Wraps
For facials, we
recommend a light to medium coating of Hydrated Bentonite Clay over
the face and neck area. It does not need to be applied
thickly. Allow it to dry for 15-20 minutes. Apply
warm damp towels to loosen the clay and then wash it off
thoroughly using warm water.
For Baths, you can get by with a couple cups per bath with the living clay at Clay Healing .com, whereas others may require 4 pounds or more for the same effect.
For full body
wraps, cover your entire body with a light to medium coating of
Hydrated Bentonite Clay, and allow it to dry. Drying outside in
the sun is perfect if possible (bikini required in public!).
Then jump in the shower, or in a stream if outside, and wash
off. Your skin will feel soft and firm.
In some cases,
the complexion will appear red for a few minutes. The clay
has successfully done its job and has pulled circulation to the
area, which aids in healthy rejuvenation of the new skin.
The clay can be used 2-3 times a week or as needed. Once a
week is a good maintenance if you have no significant skin
problems, and just want to tighten, firm and soften.
There are many
places where you can purchase Hydrated Bentonite Clay.
Our favorite green living clay is found at Clay Healing .com.
It is often more economical to purchase dry powder clay
and mix it yourself than to buy already hydrated clay.
This article was written by Jim Krage of Clay Facts .com, Energy Healing News .com, and Deep Info .com. |
